My friends were arriving from Scotland. I was to meet them in Ko Samet. An island not too far from Bangkok. Eight months had passed since we'd last met, with faint promises that we'd meet up somewhere on my travels. Incredibly this happened. Walking along the beach there was Maff, then Jase, Gayle and Claire with Jolly appearing later from the sea pulling off a James Bond like movie scene, OK maybe not so sure about that, he he.
We chill in Ko Samet, drink beer, lie in the sun go snorkeling and then head to Kanchanaburi with a brief stop in Bangkok on the way. Bangkok may have a seedy reputation, lets just say we observed some of this and it's reputation is intact.
Kanchanaburi, the 'Death Railway' and the Bridge over the river Kwae. A peaceful area now, not so in the past. A visit to the war cemeteries was a moving experience. I was surprised at the feeling of grief I experienced seeing all the graves of the soldiers who died so young, to give us all the freedom we have. Only packs of angry stray dogs break the peace at night now.
I didn't know how things quite would be but there were no worries. I'd been traveling on a shoe string budget and my friends were on holiday for two weeks. I was happy that they were to experience my way of traveling, taking buses and trains and staying in budget accommodation (sorry Maff). The night train from Bangkok to Chang Mai has to be one of the best journeys so far. Leaving at 10pm and arriving at 1pm the next day there was plenty of scenery to see in the morning. The carriage doors open sitting on the foot plates, wind in my hair, train slowly winding though forested hilly countryside, is a memory I'll not forget in a hurry .
Traveling for so long, nearly 9 months, constantly meeting new people, making new friends every day or week than moving on again, always having to put me across is tiring! It had taken it's toll. At last with my friends I can just speak and be myself for they know who I am. Two weeks of this and I was feeling more like me again. My previously flagging enthusiasm had returned and I was excited to be on my travels again. I booked my flight across the Pacific Ocean to Vancouver. I book my flight to Mexico. I have so much to look forward to.
Chaing Mai was a lot more relaxed than Bangkok. Many temples some amazing especially the ruined Wat Chedi Luang. Some good nights out, watching Thai boxing, drinking and enjoying the friendly atmosphere of the city.
It was goodbye to my friends and on with my travels to Laos. Crossing into Laos from Chang Khong in Thailand felt like a proper border. Get stamped out of Thailand then the ferry boat across the Mekong River to the Laos immigration. My visa secured, the fee paid and I enter the town of Houoxsie. Immediately I get the feeling of traveling I've not experienced since I was in China. The feeling of entering the unknown.
